Abstract:

This paper is based on an in-depth study of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s
management of the E.coli crisis in the spring of 2006. The study examines crisis
management from sense making through decision making to the end games and
implementation of lessons after the crisis. The case of the E.coli crisis is analyzed from a structural-instrumental and a cultural-institutional perspective. The study shows that both perspectives are significant to understanding the crisis management. The reorganizing of the Norwegian Food Control Administration in 2004, included integration of several laws and considerations in a new and coordinated legislation, enforced by a new regulatory body, the Food Safety Authority. This study shows that the Norwegian Food Authority’s management of the crisis was influenced by the newness of the organization. There were several challenges of coordination. Horizontal challenges were expressed
through tensions between the department of agriculture and the department of health
with regards to which department should be given the responsibility to be in charge of
the crisis management. Horizontal challenges of coordination were also expressed through tensions between the National Institute of Health and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Vertical coordination was challenged by weaknesses in the Food Safety
Authority’s internal follow-ups on the investigation process. Organization of the crisis management varied from day to day on an ad hoc basis, and was influenced by the lack of an implemented model of crisis management. The end games of the crisis management were positively influenced by finding the cause of the outbreak. There were still many unanswered questions. As a response to these, The Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian government each launched
independent investigations on their crisis management. Based on the reports from these
investigations in addition to the Food Safety Authority’s internal research, several
changes were implemented. This study indicates that the Food Safety Authority has
progressed through the crisis, and has drawn lessons from the challenges.